Fire escape apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fire escape apparatus consisting of a casing holding an elongated flexible chute disposed in a normal rolled-up position in the casing beneath the window frame and having the bottom end of the chute connected to a transversely extending rod projecting outwardly of the sides of the chute, and a pair of vertically extending side frame rod members having their bottom ends pivotally connected adjacent the ground and extending upwardly therefrom to be joined to opposite ends of the transversely extending rod member such that in cases of emergency an individual can release the casing permitting the chute to fall outwardly therefrom due its own weight effecting the pivotal rotation of the side bars about the pivot connection with the bottom end of the chute reaching the ground and the side bars firmly holding the bottom end of the chute spaced outwardly from the building at an angle thereto so that individuals may slide down the chute to safety. Further, to cushion the individual&#39;&#39;s slide, a cylindrical padding is provided at the bottom end of the chute.

United States Patent {19] Williams, Jr. et al.

[45] Oct. 1, 1974 FIRE ESCAPE APPARATUS inventors: Randolph Williams, Jr.; Cherry R.

Williams, both of 650 Cleveland St., Gary, lnd. 46404 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado [57] ABSTRACT A fire escape apparatus consisting of a casing holding an elongated flexible chute disposed in a normal rolled-up position in the casing beneath the window frame and having the bottom end of the chute connected to a transversely extending rod projecting outwardly of the sides of the chute, and a pair of vertically extending side frame rod members having their bottom ends pivotally connected adjacent the ground and extending upwardly therefrom to be joined to opposite ends of the transversely extending rod member such that in cases of emergency an individual can release the casing permitting the chute to fall outwardly therefrom due its own weight effecting the pivotal rotation of, the side bars about the pivot connection with the bottom end of the chute reaching the ground and the side bars firmly holding the bottom end of the chute spaced outwardly from the building at an angle thereto so that individuals may slide down the chute to safety. Further, to cushion the individuals slide, a cylindrical padding is provided at the bottom end of the chute.

S Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 FIRE ESCAPE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to fire escapes and more particularly to a novel and improved fire escape utilizing a flexible chute normally secured in a rolled-up position exteriorl of a window frame on a building and the like and readily accessible when required for use upon the mere releasing of the casing holding the same which will effect the chute assuming an operative inclined positionfrorn the window to the ground with the mechanism retaining the same firmly in such position permitting an individual to slide safely down the chute to safety.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE PRIOR ART It has been known in the rior art to provide many types of fire escape apparatus to permit individuals to escape from an upper story of a home or building, such as the second story thereof, in a manner providing a means for the individual to descend to the ground in a safe manner thus escaping from a fire ridden building in relative safety without jumping. Among such prior art devices are fire escapes of a relative complexity with a large number of parts making the same overly expensive for a normal household installation, along with making the same aesthetically displeasing so that most homeowners would not have such a fire escape mounted on their home. 7

Also found among the prior art are numerous feldable type fire escapes in the form of ladders, ropes and the like adapted to be retained in a compartment adjacent the window and permanently secured thereto so that in case of fire an individual need only throw'such device out the window and then climb or slide down the same to safety. However, this is not suitable for handicapped individuals, younger children, elderly persons, and the like where such is either not physically capable or the exertion may be dangerous to the individuals health.

Still further, among the prior art devices are foldable chutes mounted in compartments secured below the exterior of a window frame such that in cases of emergency it is possible to open the compartment in a manner to drop the chute to the ground at which time the bottom end of the chute would be held by individuals in a manner to incline the chute relative to the building permitting an individual to slide down the chute. However, this is not a satisfactory solution to provide an escape for a single individual as it requires the assistance of other individuals stationed on the ground to retain the chute in the extended inclined position.

While various attempts have been made to provide a chute adapted for safe escape of a single individual without assistance of others, such means are not suitable forthe homeowner as they require constant maintenance and supervision to assure that they are readily operable at the instant of emergency, such means being air filled side rails such as utilized in airplane escape hatches, and the like. However, due to the complexity of such devices and the requirement for consistent maintenance to assure constant readiness, the same are not suitable as home escape devices.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON The present invention recognizes the problem and plight of the homeowner in wanting to provide a safe emergency escape from second story windows without having to jump therefrom, and as such provides a novel solution overcoming all of the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available fire escapes, the same being accomplished by providing a rolled-up chute having the bottom end connected to a trans versely extending rod which, in turn, has its end portions connected to vertical standards pivotally connectedto the exterior of the building near the ground level, the top end of the chute connected transversely of the window in a position beneath the same such that in an emergency an individual need only release the chute to permit the same to unroll to the ground with the vertical standards pivoting about the pivot connections to assume a horizontal position holding the bottom end of the chute outwardly from the building such that individuals may slide down the chute to safety without requiring any assistance from any other individuals.

It is a feature of the present invention to rovide a fire escape chute in a folded up position beneath a second story window or the like of a house or building and operable to form an inclined chute down to the ground for individuals to slide safely therealongto escape a fire hazard or the like in the, home or building.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a fire escape a'pparatus that is well suited for use in variousapplications by individuals of all ages ranging from the youngest child to the elderly individual who would be incapable of climbing down a ladder or sliding down a rope to safety, but who would be capable of simplyreleasing the chute and! then rapidly sliding down the same to safety with no physical exertion or special skills being required.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a fire escape adapted for permanent mounting exterior of a home beneath a second floor window or the like and which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance so as to not detract from the home or its surroundings.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a fire escape apparatus which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods utilizing components and materials readily available.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a fire escape apparatus which is composed of a minimum of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and dura ble and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand an exceptionally long lifetime of storage and utilization; one which is readily adaptable to be installed beneath windows of various heights and configurations in a manner permitting a safe escape therefrom to the ground; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing the second floor window of a home or building and having the fire escape apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted therebeneath in the normally stored position;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the fire escape in the operative extended inclined position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the casing mounted beneath the window with the chute in the normal storage position therein;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing the casing opened and the chute extending outwardly therefrom in the operative position; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the latch mechanism of the casing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings there is illustrated a preferred form of a fire escape apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated in its entirety by the reference numeral and which is comprised of a casing 11, a flexible chute 12, and a supporting frame 13 having one end connected to the chute with the opposite end hingedly connected by pivot means to the exterior building surface near the level of the ground 15.

The casing 11 is designed to protect the chute 12 in the rolled-up stored position while retaining the same beneath the exterior of a second floor window, such as designated by reference numeral 16. The casing is in the form of an elongated semi-cylindrical body member 21 having a top edge 22, a bottom edge 23, and opposed end edges 24 and 25. The edge portion adjacent edge end 23 is pivotally secured to the exterior surface 17 of the building by a pair of transversely spaced apart rods 26 and 27 having one end portion suitably mounted to the exterior of the wall 17 with the opposite end portion projecting outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto and pivotally connected by pivot pins 28 to the body member 21 providing pivotal movement of the body member about the horizontal axis of the pivot pins 28. Secured centrally of the body member 21 adjacent the top edge 22 is a latch member 31 having one end 32 connected to the body member with the opposite end 33 received in a groove 34 provided in window sill 35 and extending from the front end 36 of the window sill inwardly thereof in the direction of the wall 17 substantially normal thereto, the end portion 33 provided with an aperture 37 extending therethrough and adapted to be aligned with an aperture 38 provided in sill 35 and extending therethrough in a position intersecting with slot 34 to receive therethrough a locking pin 39 having an enlarged head portion 40 adapted to rest on the top surface of the sill 35 with the locking pin releasably retaining the lock 31 and thus the casing body 21 in the closed position.

The interior surface of the body member 21 is of a size and configuration to receive therein a rolled-up length of elongated flexible sheet material 50 which is of sufficient length to reach from the casing to the ground at an inclination to the building as will be later described. The chute 12 includes opposed transversely extending longitudinally spaced apart top edge 51 and bottom edge 52 and opposed transversely spaced longitudinally extending side edges 53 and 54. The top end 51 of the chute is secured to the bottom edge portion 23 of the casing 11, with the bottom end 52 of the chute being secured along the exterior surface 56 of an elongated cylindrical pad forming member 57 which, in turn, is disposed about a transversely extending rod 58 disposed axially therethrough and projecting laterally beyond the sides 53 and 54 of the chute.

The support frame 14 includes the transverse rod 58 which has its end portions connected to ends 61 of a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side bars 62 each having its opposite end 63 extending in a direction to be pivotally connected to the building and positioned adjacent the level of the ground 15, such as by pivot members 65 having bifurcated extending sidewalls 66 spaced apart a distance to receive therebetween an associated end 63 which is then pivotally joined thereto by a pivot pin 67 extending horizontally therethrough to retain the side bars 62 pivotally connected to the wall 17.

In the normal stored position, the chute 12 is wound about the pad 57 and is then stored within the casing 11, the side bars 62 extending vertically upwards from the hinges 65 substantially adjacent the exterior wall surface 17 thus providing a minimum silhouette against the wall with the curved casing l 1 providing an aesthetically pleasing and refined appearance complementary with the window frame structure 16 so as to not detract from the appearance of the home.

In operation, such as in times of fire or other emergency, it is only required that an individual pull locking pin 39 out of the window sill 35, this releasing the lock 31 permitting the casing to pivotally open about pivot 28 which, in turn, permits the chute 12 to unroll from the casing both due to its own weight as well as the added weight of the pad 57, the chute being of sufficient length to reach from the elevation at which the casing is mounted above the ground to the ground 15 at the angle of inclination as apparent from FIG. 2 of the drawings. Upon the unrolling of the chute 12, the

7 side bars 62 pivot about hinges 65 from their vertical storage position to their horizontal operative position supporting the pad 57 and chute end 52 a distance spaced outwardly from the wall 17, with this operative position of the side bars and the chute being retained by locking members of any suitable construction, such as designated by reference numeral 70 having one end 71 pivotally connected to the bottom end portion of each side bar 62 with the opposite end 72 adapted to frictionally engage the wall 17 at an angle thereto such that members 70 define angular braces locking the side arms and chute in the extended ground engaging position, such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, when an individual goes through window 16 and slides down chute 12, no assistance is required to hold the chute at the desired inclination to the wall, such/that the individual is provided with a slide to safety.

To restore the fire escape apparatus 10 to the storage position of FIG. 1 from the operable position of FIG.

2, the braces 70 are pivoted in a manner such that end 7 72 is pointed in the direction of side bar end 61, after which the chute 12 is rolled about the pad 57 as the side bars are simultaneously raised into their vertical position, the casing ll then being closed about the rolled'up chute and pad with the lock 31 engaging in slot 34 and being retained therein by locking pin 39. The apparatus is thus ready for further usage, with it being apparent that the ease of restoring the apparatus to the storage position encourages individuals to carry out practice fire escapes and the like to become throughly familiar with the apparatus, this providing the great benefit that in time of a true emergency the individual is completely familiar with the escape apparatus and has no second thoughts or hesitation in the use thereof. However, as stressed above, in view of the simplicity and automatic self-operation of the escape apparatus, no special instruction or skills are required on the part of an individual as the window sill would be clearly marked with instructions of use, such as In Case Of Fire, Pull Pin with perhaps an arrow pointing to the pin to be pulled. As for younger children who' cannot read, it would be required that the homeowner show the child the pin and explain what is required in case of tire, at which time the child could then readily pull the pin when required in times of emergency.

The pad disposed at the bottom of the chute provides 1 an extra cushioning to slow the descent of an individual along the chute prior to contact with the ground, this cushioning effect permitting the individual to make a safer ground contact when considering the velocity of an individual sliding down the chute in combination with the height of the top end of the chute above the ground.

There is thus provided a novel fire escape apparatus intended for simple operation by a single individual without requiring ground assistance of others in the operation thereof to provide a safe exit from upper floors of a tire ridden home or building permitting the individual to slide rapidly and efficiently to safety with a negligible time required for the extension of the apparatus from its normal storage position to its operable position.

it is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a pre ferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A fire escape intended for mounting beneath a window frame of an upper floor of a home or building, comprising:

a casing type container disposed transversely of the bottom of the window frame;

an elongated substantially flat rectangular sheet of flexible material defining a chute having a top end, a bottom end, and opposed side edges, the chute being normally rolled end-to-end and stored in the casing, the top end of the chute transversely secured to the casing;

a transversely extending bar member having an elongated cylindrical pad disposed therealong is provided with the bottom end of the chute transversely connected with a sidewall of the pad, the bar memher extending laterally beyond the sides of the chute;

a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side bars each having a top end connected to one of the ends of the bar member with the opposite free ends projecting downwardly therefrom substantially normal to the bar member and extending adjacent to the exterior of the building;

a pair of hinge like pivot means mounted exteriorly of the building substantially at ground level beneath the ends of the bar member, a free end of each side bar pivotally connected to an associated one of the hinges for pivotal movement thereabout toward and away from the building; and

selectively releasable means for opening the casing and releasing the chute to fall outwardly therefrom due to its own weight effecting the top bar and connected side bars to rotate about a horizontal axis of the pivot means so that the bottom end of the chute reaches the ground with the side bars firmly holding the bottom chute end spaced outwardly from the building to hold the chute at an angle to the building with the pad disposedat the bottom of the chute end thus permitting individuals to slide down the chute to safety.

2. The tire escape as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pair of braces adapted to retain the side bars in the operably extended position projecting outwardly of the wall, each brace operably associated with one of the side bars and having the end adjacent its associate side bar pivotally connected thereto in a manner providing rotative movement of the brace therabout in a direction toward and away from the wall, the opposite end of each brace adapted to frictionally engage the wall when the side bars are in the extended operable position, the braces adapted to lie substantially adjacent the side bars projecting upwardly from the pivot connections and disposed intermediate the side bars and the adjacent building wall surface when the side bars are in the inoperative vertical storage position.

3. The fire escape as set forth in claim 2 wherein the casing comprises an elongated semi-cylindrical body member having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed end edges, ,the size and shape of the casing adapted to receive therein the rolled-up chute about the cylindrical pad in a manner to protect the same from the weather elements, the bottom edge portion of the casing pivotally connected to the building wall beneath the bottom of a window frame; the top edge of the casing adapted to be received beneath the window frame, a locking member disposed centrally of the body member adjacent the top edge and extending in a direc* tion substantially normal to the top edge and curved to be received in a slot provided therefor in the window sill, an aperture extending through the window sill normal to the axis of the slot and intercepting the slot, an aperture in the outermost end of the locking member adapted to be aligned with the window sill aperture when the locking member is in the slot, and an elongated locking pin adapted to be inserted through the aligned window sill and locking member apertures to retain the locking member detachably attached to the window sill whereby the chute is retained in the rolledup storage position within the casing.

4. The fire escape as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top end of the chute is fixedly attached to the bottom edge portion of the body member of the casing to retain neath the window frame when the chute is placed in the operative position.

5. The fire escape as set forth in claim 4 wherein the side bars are formed of hollow elongated cylindrical members, the bar member is formed of a hollow elongated cylindrical member, the pair of hinge like pivot means each comprise a base plate adapted to be mounted to the building wall surface, with each base plate including a pair of sidewalls extending outwardly the top edge of the chute in appropriate position bethe side frames. 

1. A fire escape intended for mounting beneath a window frame of an upper floor of a home or building, comprising: a casing type container disposed transversely of the bottom of the window frame; an elongated substantially flat rectangular sheet of flexible material defining a chute having a top end, a bottom end, and opposed side edges, the chute being normally rolled end-to-end and stored in the casing, the top end of the chute transversely secured to the casing; a transversely extending bar member having an elongated cylindrical pad disposed therealong is provided with the bottom end of the chute transversely connected with a sidewall of the pad, the bar member extending laterally beyond the sides of the chute; a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side bars each having a top end connected to one of the ends of the bar member with the opposite free ends projecting downwardly therefrom substantially normal to the bar member and extending adjacent to the exterior of the building; a pair of hinge like pivot means mounted exteriorly of the building substantially at ground level beneath the ends of the bar member, a free end of each side bar pivotally connected to an associated one of the hinges for pivotal movement thereabout toward and away from the building; and selectively releasable means for opening the casing and releasing the chute to fall outwardly therefrom due to its own weight effecting the top bar and connected side bars to rotate about a horizontal axis of the pivot means so that the bottom end of the chute reaches the ground with the side bars firmly holding the bottom chute end spaced outwardly from the building to hold the chute at an angle to the building with the pad disposed at the bottom of the chute end thus permitting individuals to slide down the chute to safety.
 2. The fire escape as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pair of braces adapted to retain the side bars in the operably extended position projecting outwardly of the wall, each brace operably associated with one of the side bars and having the end adjacent its associate side bar pivotally connected thereto in a manner providing rotative movement of the brace therabout in a direction toward and away from the wall, the opposite end of each brace adapted to frictionally engage the wall when the side bars are in the extended operable position, the braces adapted to lie substantially adjacent the side bars projecting upwardly from the pivot connections and disposed intermediate the side bars and the adjacent builDing wall surface when the side bars are in the inoperative vertical storage position.
 3. The fire escape as set forth in claim 2 wherein the casing comprises an elongated semi-cylindrical body member having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed end edges, the size and shape of the casing adapted to receive therein the rolled-up chute about the cylindrical pad in a manner to protect the same from the weather elements, the bottom edge portion of the casing pivotally connected to the building wall beneath the bottom of a window frame; the top edge of the casing adapted to be received beneath the window frame, a locking member disposed centrally of the body member adjacent the top edge and extending in a direction substantially normal to the top edge and curved to be received in a slot provided therefor in the window sill, an aperture extending through the window sill normal to the axis of the slot and intercepting the slot, an aperture in the outermost end of the locking member adapted to be aligned with the window sill aperture when the locking member is in the slot, and an elongated locking pin adapted to be inserted through the aligned window sill and locking member apertures to retain the locking member detachably attached to the window sill whereby the chute is retained in the rolled-up storage position within the casing.
 4. The fire escape as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top end of the chute is fixedly attached to the bottom edge portion of the body member of the casing to retain the top edge of the chute in appropriate position beneath the window frame when the chute is placed in the operative position.
 5. The fire escape as set forth in claim 4 wherein the side bars are formed of hollow elongated cylindrical members, the bar member is formed of a hollow elongated cylindrical member, the pair of hinge like pivot means each comprise a base plate adapted to be mounted to the building wall surface, with each base plate including a pair of sidewalls extending outwardly normal thereto and having a space therebetween greater than the diameter of the end of the side bar associated therewith, the side bar end received between the side members, horizontally aligned apertures provided in the side members and the associated end of the side bar, and a pivot pin adapted to be inserted through the aligned apertures to pivotally retain the side bar to the side frames. 